Volleyball team sputters at end

Thursday

May 3, 2007 at 12:01 AMMay 3, 2007 at 3:20 AM

With spring break over, the Wayland boys volleyball team started strong against Boston Latin Tuesday, April 24.

With spring break over, the Wayland boys volleyball team started strong against Boston Latin Tuesday, April 24.Perhaps this was due in part to the strong support from the home court spectators. Several members of the girls volleyball team were cheering and waving signs.The Warriors were as focused as they have been all season and racked up point after point in the first game, capitalizing on Boston Latin errors. Wayland was ahead 13-4 when the the Wolfpack coach called a timeout to encourage the team.But Wayland was not to be denied, winning the first game 25-13, the largest margin of victory this season. Juniors Jesse Diamond and Alex Petty each scored three kills off of sets from senior Derrick Choi. Choi and classmate Matt Troilo also scored ace serves.Wayland's intensity continued for the beginning of the second game. Choi set all hitting positions and defense was strong as well. Despite their early lead, the Warriors could not hang on and lost 25-21.Senior outside hitter Russell Lyons scored two kills and an ace serve. Cristian Pena and Choi also scored aces. Middle hitter Brett Banhazl scored a kill and classmates Diamond scored three and Petty five.In this seesaw match, Wayland came back to win the third game 25-18. Petty scored eight kills, two against three blockers, Diamond and Pena scored two and Banhazl and Lyons each had one. Diamond and Lyons also scored service aces.Wayland started the fourth game slowly. Pena, Diamond, Choi and Petty all made great defensive plays as the Warriors fought to catch the Wolfpack at 15-15.At this point, Wayland lost its intensity and appeared tired. Passing was off and the team made several service errors. The Warriors lost 25-17 and lost the fifth game of the match 15-10.Petty again led in kills for these two games with seven, followed by Lyons with five, Diamond with four and senior Web Gordon with two.Despite the heartbreaking loss, the match offers hope for the rest of the season. Coach Mike Frank enthused that ``this was their best match of the season.''Diamond and Lyons had terrific games offensively, adding some much needed firepower to the lineup. This marks quite an improvement over last year when Wayland failed to win a single game against Boston Latin.The Warriors needed the confidence of a strong match to face undefeated Lincoln-Sudbury on Thursday. Nearly all of the L-S starters played club volleyball over the winter and their improvement over last year was remarkable. Several L-S players offered jump serves that the Warriors were not used to receiving.L-S won the first two games handily 25-15 and 25-10. Wayland fought to keep ahead in the third game, showing some excellent hustle on defense. However, L-S fought back to win 25-17. Petty managed 10 kills during the match and Banhazl, Lyons and Gordon each had one with Diamond adding an ace serve to the tally.Volleyball excitement continues at home tomorrow at 4 p.m. as the Warriors hope to surprise Westford Academy with its improved intensity.